In the world of indie cinema, A24 has long been considered the 'House that Horror Built.' From the skin-crawling dread of Hereditary to the neon-soaked slasher vibes of X and Pearl, the studio has redefined the genre for a new generation. However, the box office landscape shifted this week as the sports dramedy Marty Supreme officially became A24’s highest-grossing film at the domestic box office, hauling in a staggering $80 million in North America.
This milestone sees the ping-pong biopic overtake the previous domestic record holder, the multiversal genre-bender Everything Everywhere All at Once, which sat at $77 million. While horror fans might be surprised to see a sports film taking the top spot, the financial health of A24 is inextricably linked to the dark, experimental roots that put the studio on the map. Without the massive cult success and critical acclaim of 'elevated horror' hits, the studio would likely never have had the capital or the brand recognition to push a niche sports drama into the record books.
The Horror Engine Driving A24’s Success
To understand how we reached this point, one has to look back at the trail of blood and shadows A24 has left behind. For over a decade, the studio has been the premier destination for horror enthusiasts seeking something deeper than jump scares. Films like Robert Eggers’ The Witch and Ari Aster’s Midsommar didn't just make money; they created a loyal fanbase—often referred to as 'A24 stans'—who show up for the logo as much as the movie itself.
This brand loyalty is the secret sauce behind the $80 million success of Marty Supreme. Horror audiences are notoriously dedicated, and A24 successfully leveraged that 'cool factor' to expand into other genres. Even as they dominate with dramedies, their genre slate remains the backbone of their identity. Last year’s Talk to Me proved that the studio still has its finger on the pulse of terror, becoming a global phenomenon and proving that horror remains their most reliable return on investment.
Global Dominance: Horror and Sci-Fi Still Lead
While Marty Supreme holds the domestic title, the worldwide crown still belongs to the genre-defying Everything Everywhere All at Once. The Oscar-winning film remains the studio's highest-grossing movie globally with $142 million. This distinction is important for horror fans; while domestic audiences might be flocking to a ping-pong drama, the international market still craves the high-concept, sci-fi, and thriller elements that A24 excels at.
Furthermore, Alex Garland’s dystopian thriller Civil War continues to perform impressively, showcasing that the appetite for high-tension, visceral cinema is far from gone. For the horror community, the success of a film like Marty Supreme is actually good news. A diversified portfolio allows A24 to take even bigger risks on weird, atmospheric horror projects that larger studios might deem 'too experimental.'
What’s Next for the A24 Horror Slate?
As we look toward the rest of 2026, the question remains: which horror title will be the one to reclaim the domestic throne? With a massive development slate and a reputation for nurturing visionary directors, it’s only a matter of time before another nightmare-inducing masterpiece challenges the $80 million benchmark. Whether it's a new supernatural chiller or a psychological thriller, the 'A24 effect' ensures that horror will always have a seat at the table—even if that table is currently being used for world-class ping-pong.
For now, horror fans can celebrate the fact that the studio that gave us Black Phillip and the May Queen is now a box office titan, capable of competing with the major players while keeping its indie soul intact.